SSN is a digest of the day's soccer/football/futbol articles with a focus on the top European leagues and the United States National Team. Below, you’ll find links to articles and video, as well as additional features and commentary. We locate the top news of the day so you can stay updated with ease.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

We're freaking out! It all goes down today for the USA as they face Germany and attempt to advance beyond the Group Stage. And deal with a lot of rain. Can't watch the match? Come on, The Diving German took the time to write you an excuse!

Meanwhile, Ghana are in chaos after Sulley and Prince were sent home for getting really angry, apparently. The question begs, did they get any of the cash before they left Brazil?

Before we delve further into today's menu, let's review yesterday's events. France won Group E and Switzerland finished second. Argentina won Group F and Nigeria finished second. Here's your lot:

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Some things are really weird. Like adults who bite people on a regular basis. Uruguay and Italy played an insufferably boring match filled fouls, dives, and whining. And then The Cannibal reared his ugly head and all hell broke loose (unless you're from Uruguay). We took a poll here at SSN Headquarters (we love doing that) and we all agree that the Ajax bite is still the best:

That's enough of that for now. Let's hope SPECTRE FIFA have the guts to ban one of the stars of the tournament.

So, Italy go home and Pirlo's international career is over. That's rather sad. Zico thinks Italy paid the price for over-reliance on Pirlo and must rebuild. No argument here. Elsewhere, Greece pulled a shocker over Ivory Coast thanks to a late Samaras penalty. At first it looked like he'd dived, but upon further inspection, as he was preparing to shoot his foot hit the defender. Tough on Ivory Coast, but Greece were probably the better side on the day. Here's a report. And here's the Samaras incident:

There are four more matches today, as noted in The Schedule above. Nigeria/Argentina looks the most tasty on paper, while France and Ecuador could entertain. There's plenty to play for today. Here are some previews:

U.S. fans have represented well down in Brazil. Why? How? Take a look. Also representing down in Brazil are players who play in Major League Soccer. Grant Wahl says they're representing quite well, in fact.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Greetings, friends! By popular demand, we're going to begin today with The Schedule. Check it:

Got it? Good. We'll get to previews for the above later. Let's rewind first. Mexico continued to make CONCACAF proud by dispatching of Croatia and advancing to the Round of 16 and providing a new media darling in the form of their gaffer, Miguel Herrera. Neymar saved Brazil's blushes (they have issues, people) and, as expected, the hosts topped their group. The Holland/Chile clash was a bit of a bust as the Dutch cruised. And Spain? They won a match.

Sid Lowe is down in Brazil and since Spain is caput, he's changed his focus to Argentina. Take a look. Eduardo Alvarez is still thinking about Spain, however. Here are Five Things Del Bosque got wrong, according to Señor Alvarez.

Monday, June 23, 2014

OK, OK, so the refs have been atrocious at times, but the play has been spectacular. How many tournaments over the years have featured boring, conservative play? Most. Not this year. With a few exceptions (Belgium, we're looking at you), these countries have, quite simply, gone for it, and it's been a joy to behold.

Right. So, we're back. SSN Headquarters is once again fully staffed and we'll attempt to get back up and running with today's post. There is nowhere to begin but with the USA and Portugal. Ronaldo was ass, but even on his assiest day he can deliver a sick cross to break Yank hearts. And Michael Bradley? What's up with him? He's been poor, that's what's up. When he lost the ball in the middle of the pitch in stoppage time, we knew it was trouble. And it was. Let' get to the the fun.

Oh, right. England and Spain are already out. Hah! No need for additional coverage of their failures here, but suffice to say, nobody at SSN Headquarters is shedding any tears. Wait, Nick Hornby has a piece about England's failure? We'll gladly make an exception for Sir Nick!